Equilibrium Policy Simulations with Random Utility Models of Labour Supply

Ugo Colombino

No 5262, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Many microeconometric models of discrete labour supply include alternative-specific constants meant to account for (possibly besides other factors) the density or accessibility of particular types of jobs (e.g. part-time jobs vs. full-time jobs). The most common use of these models is the simulation of tax-transfer reforms. The simulation is usually interpreted as a comparative static exercise, i.e. the comparison of different equilibria induced by different policy regimes. The simulation procedure, however, typically keeps fixed the estimated alternative-specific constants. In this note we argue that this procedure is not consistent with the comparative statics interpretation. Equilibrium means that the number of people willing to work on the various job types must be equal to the number of available jobs. Since the constants reflect the number of jobs and since the number of people willing to work change as a response to the change in tax-transfer regime, it follows that the constants should also change. A structural interpretation of the alternative-specific constants leads to the development of a simulation procedure consistent with the comparative static interpretation. The procedure is illustrated with an empirical example.

Keywords: alternative-specific constants; simulation of tax reforms; labour supply; discrete choice; random utility; equilibrium simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C35 C53 H31 J22 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 15 pages
Date: 2010-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cmp and nep-dcm
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Equilibrium policy simulation with random utility models of labor supply (2012)
Working Paper: Equilibrium policy simulations with random utility models of labour supply (2010)
Working Paper: Equilibrium policy simulations with random utility models of labour supply (2010)
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